Life & Work with Neil Nayyar

Today we’d like to introduce you to Neil Nayyar.

Hi Neil, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey started with a beat in the womb that captivated me and set me up for a musical exploration. Looking back, I would say that my early memory of music, my natural aptitude for instruments, always believing in myself no matter if I impressed others or failed, and curiosity about different musical styles have been some of the most impactful qualities in my journey so far. Starting out with the mini drum set at two, it didn’t take long for me to show my instructor what I was made of – after just one lesson! That opened so many new doors for me; eventually leading to picking up a guitar and delving deeper into various schools of thought and practices. It’s been an incredible honor to discover something that fascinates me and challenges myself to know more every day.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I may be considered fortunate in my talent, but every door of opportunity had to be opened and unlocked by hard work. I put in long hours of practice and studious dedication since an early age, and have sought to further broaden my understanding of music from mentors all over the world. All that effort does give me a sort of head-start, but it only goes so far—real progress has been made through honing my skill sets, taking guidance from those who know better than myself and above all else, having a passion for what I’m playing. Call it a labor of love if you will; I’m proud knowing I carved this path for myself.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in music and when it comes to instrument playing, I’m a risk taker – taking on challenges that make me raise the bar higher each time. I put my whole heart into everything I do, like learning new instruments, for example. From 2016 until today, I have mastered 117 instruments which is an accomplishment I am very proud of. Each instrument has its own unique sound, and practicing daily ensures my skills are at their peak. Music-making is a process of taking risks and constantly challenging myself with new ideas.

Even though some of the songs I’ve written have been scrapped along the way, it only motivates me to keep pushing forward. Knowing that even my biggest failures are just another step toward success makes me continue chasing my dream every single day. My couple of proud moments are: My first national appearance on Good Morning America, as a Celebrity appearance on a very popular Talk Show “The Jennifer Hudson Show” and featured on two Honda Car commercials. I am also a book author.

Recently, I wrote a book “Passion to Exploration of 107 Sound Machines where I shared about all my 107 World Music Instruments so young kids/Teens/Adults can know more about Instruments which exists beyond Pop/Rock music. I am also very excited to release my First Debut Album “Breaking Barriers” in the Summer of 2023. I am a Film Composer as well… Recently, I composed film score for a short movie “Beyond The Door and co-produced the song “Pogathey” in an Indian Movie “Dada”. I am also giving film score to a full feature film “Lottery” which is in Pre-Production at the moment.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
In 5-10 years, I plan on extending my experience in the music industry while focusing mainly on collaboration and creativity. There is so much potential for artists to capitalize on when it comes to working with different styles, genres, and cultures. I believe that this wave of openness could result in some incredibly inspiring work, which will expand the reach of music further than ever before. My goal is to join these collaborations and help create works of art that can move people like no other form of media can. Ultimately, I’m optimistic that our industry will continue to grow in creative and artistic ways over the next decade!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://neilnayyar.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neilmusician/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NeilMusician
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC52YfJc7hZFIWNqbraQ3hdQ 

Image Credits
Philippe Studio Pro https://philippestudiopro.com/